Every season, I see new ideas and models pop up in the rodeo and equestrian photography world. One that’s been floating around recently is the “season pass” model—a prepaid package that guarantees riders a set number of images per event across the entire season.
I understand the appeal. It sounds great on paper: a flat rate, guaranteed photos, and the security of knowing someone’s looking out for you and your rides. I’ve even seen a few newer photographers starting to offer this option.
But as someone who’s been photographing equine events for over 14 years, I want to explain why I don’t offer season passes—and why, for a veteran photographer, that kind of promise just doesn’t work.
🎯 Rodeo/Equine Events Are Unpredictable—That’s the Nature of the Sport
Unlike controlled portrait sessions or studio work, rodeo and equine events are fast, unscripted, and deeply affected by variables outside of anyone’s control. That includes:
Lighting that shifts from harsh to dim within minutes
Dust, fencing, shadows, and distance affecting visibility and clarity
Riders who fall, scratch, or have off runs, resulting in fewer or unremarkable shots
Photographer conflicts, whether it’s weather, illness, gear failure, or personal emergencies
As much as I plan, scout, and prepare, I’ve learned that sometimes I walk away with 10 amazing shots of one rider… and maybe just 2 solid ones of another. And that's nobody's fault—it's just part of the event world.
📷 Why “Guaranteed Images Per Event” Doesn’t Add Up
Some photographers offering season passes are guaranteeing things like 15 images per event across x events. That’s xxx images total—delivered no matter what. And that’s where I start to worry—not just for them, but for the riders relying on that promise.
As a photographer, I can’t ethically guarantee a specific number of high-quality images per rider, per event, because I know the truth: even after 14 years of experience, there are still days when the light’s terrible, the timing is off, or someone’s run ends too quickly to catch anything usable. I’ve missed shots. I’ve had bad shooting days. I’ve even missed events due to emergencies I couldn’t control.
To offer a set number of images regardless of those realities is… well, it’s a recipe for disappointment. And it's a business model that may sound good in theory, but doesn’t always hold up when the dust settles.
✅ What I Can Promise You
Here’s what I’ve built my reputation on instead:
If I say I’m covering an event, I show up and shoot with full intention.
I work hard to capture every rider, not just the ones who’ve prepaid or booked.
I only release images that meet my quality standards—because your ride deserves more than a shaky frame or overexposed photo just to hit a number.
And if something ever changes—if I can’t attend, or a gallery is smaller than usual—you’ll hear it from me directly. I believe in transparency, fairness, and delivering work I’m proud to stand behind.
💡 What I Hope Riders Know
If you’ve seen other photographers offering season passes, just know this: there are many ways to approach event coverage, and some photographers are still finding their footing. That’s okay—we all started somewhere.
But from where I stand—14 years in, and still learning every single season—I’d rather underpromise and overdeliver than risk a rider expecting 15 great shots and walking away with 3.
🐎 In Closing
I don’t offer season passes, not because I don’t value your business or your trust, but because I value it too much to make promises I know I can’t always keep. If you’re in the arena, I’m in the dirt, working to tell your story—honestly, artfully, and with the experience to know that no two events, no two riders, and no two runs are ever the same.
Thanks for understanding. And thank you for letting me do what I love for so many seasons.
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Exposure One Studios
